Iran has reportedly further built up its supply of enriched uranium, the United Nations’ nuclear watchdog warned in a confidential report Monday.
Tehran has about 313.2 pounds of uranium that is enriched up to 60%, marking a 45.4-pound increase since the last report from the International Atomic Energy Agency back in February, the Associated Press reported.
Once a nation stockpiles roughly 92.5 pounds of uranium that’s enriched up to 60%, making a nuclear becomes theoretically possible, according to the agency.
That is not far away from the weapons-grade level, which generally is pegged around 90% purity.
Overall, Iran’s stash of enriched uranium is believed to be around 13,671.5 pounds, up from 1,489.8 pounds in the prior agency report, according to the AP.
Iran has long strenuously denied allegations that it is pursuing a nuclear weapon, with top officials citing a supposed fatwa — or ruling in Islamic law — from its supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Western experts have long questioned that alleged fatwa and raised concerns that Tehran could have its sights set on becoming a nuclear power.
Should Iran obtain a nuclear weapon, it could spark a nuclear arms race in the Middle East, as many Arab nations such as Saudi Arabia have suggested they would scramble to develop one in response.
Iran has pushed the envelope when it comes to nuclear development as it suffers under the weight of an onslaught of crippling economic sanctions and the end of a US-backed nuclear deal.
The Obama administration reached the deal in 2015, but former President Donald Trump withdrew from the pact in 2018.
That deal entailed the easing of sanctions in exchange for Iran setting limits on its nuclear program that would be phased out over time.
President Biden’s administration has long been rumored to be eyeing a revival of that deal, but so far, nothing has come to fruition.
Instead, relations have been strained amid the Israel-Hamas war. Both Iran and Israel exchanged attacks last month after the US ally allegedly took out a senior Quds Force commander as well as other Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps officers during a strike in Syria.
Recently, Iran has been reeling from a helicopter crash that killed President Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian incident earlier this month.
Upon the death of Raisi — who was widely seen as a top contender to succeed Khamenei as supreme leader— Mohammad Mokhber became Iran’s acting president.
The death of Raisi paused the agency’s talks with Iran on getting better cooperation, according to the AP account of the most recent report.
The watchdog is reportedly still seeking answers about the origins and location of undeclared manmade uranium particles in Iran.
Agency officials also claim that no additional progress has been made in trying to install more robust monitoring equipment inside Iran, since they had been taken down in June 2022.
Back in September 2023, Iran prohibited multiple nuclear inspectors. Tehran has yet to reverse that decision.
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